Central STL News

ST. LOUIS -- Matthew Liberatore's recent performance against the Braves at Busch Stadium was not what he had hoped for, despite feeling physically prepared after a strong bullpen session. The Cardinals lost 6-5 in the first game of their series, with Liberatore struggling on the mound.

“First fastball missed about four feet above the strike zone,” said Liberatore. “I tried to take that as just a first pitch and move on, throw the next one. Tried to do that the rest of the game, and it just didn’t work out tonight.”

Liberatore pitched only three innings, matching his season low from May 1 in Cincinnati. He allowed six earned runs, his second-highest this season, and did not record a strikeout.

“He was just fighting himself from the very beginning,” said Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol. “Wasn’t synced up. Just [an] inability to command his stuff early in that game, and then it just continued.”

Marmol made the tough decision to remove Liberatore after three innings due to high pitch count and muggy conditions. Relievers Riley O’Brien and Matt Svanson stepped up with 4 2/3 innings of scoreless relief and seven combined strikeouts.

“Being as efficient as they were and as effective as they were, they were able to kind of eat up more innings,” Marmol stated.

O’Brien has shown consistency this season with a 2.18 ERA over 20 2/3 innings. “I think last year I flashed some good signs, but definitely wasn't consistent," he said.

Svanson attributes his success to using all his pitches effectively: “Also having confidence in when to use them, too,” he added.

The Cardinals have utilized their roster depth throughout the season to strengthen their bullpen. Friday night’s performance by O'Brien and Svanson highlighted their ability to seize opportunities when given.

“I like the way everything lined up with those guys,” Marmol assessed. “They did a tremendous job. They really did.”